Employment & Benefits

ChrisG1990

Hi, just wondering if someone on here can give me some information.
I asked this same question in the Jobcentre Office this morning and they told me they didn't know, I mean come on? How are people going to get into work if the people who are supposedly meant to help them don't even know themselves?

Anyway, sorry for that, my question...

I have been offered employment at a local garden centre. However, the opening times are varied during each month, some months it's only every weekend and other months it can be weekends and weekdays. However the contract being offered to me is a zero hour contract. Now, with opening hours into consideration, some weeks I may work 20+ hours, other weeks I may work less than 6 hours.

Now, here's where it gets complicated. My partner is currently claiming income based ESA of which I am also listed on the claim. We also have a child under the age of 1.

So, can anyone tell me, if I accept the job, what benefits are we entitled to and what will change?

We're obviously not going to be entitled to working tax credit, but my partner will be staying on ESA. So how will this effect us, how much will we lose and how much will we gain?

Thanks for anyone who can help me.

Indie_Kid

You can earn up to £20 before ESA is deducted £ for £.

ChrisG1990

If my girlfriend ended her ESA claim, what would be entitled to then?

pmlindyloo

Is your girlfriend receiving contribution based ESA with an income based top up?

If she is then her contribution based ESA would continue but the income based top up would end if you started earning.

If it is solely an income based claim then anything you earn would be deducted except for a £20 disregard.

However, as long as you do not work 24 or more hours then the claim will remain open and she will have her NI contributions paid.

This will also mean that when you do not earn as much you may get some ESA. I believe that you will have to present regular pay slips to the Job Centre so they can adjust the claim.

If you work 24 hrs or more the claim will be closed but you can claim working tax credits as long as you are over 25.

If the ESA claim ends then HB and CT reduction will end but you can reclaim on the basis of a low income.

To be honest these zero hour contracts are a complete pain because your benefit will keep changing so keep looking for a full time position if you
can.

There would be no other benefit to replace the ESA unless your partner met the conditions for JSA.